One very important concept that all gundog owners must understand is how their dogs view the world. In particular, knowing the colors that a dog’s eye perceives versus a human’s eye. Dogs do not see things along the same color spectrum as humans. This is one reason why there are different color options for training bumpers/dummies. This photo (https://images.app.goo.gl/x1ZnFGxx9teaoCPB8) shows the difference between our color spectrum and that of our furry companions.
As you can tell, dogs have a harder time perceiving the differences in colors across the entire color spectrum, whereas we have a much more distinct differentiation of shades of colors. So that orange bumper that you can see from 100 yards away is actually almost invisible to your dog if it is laying in a grassy field. This is why bumper selection is so important. So what colors should you use for which situations?
First, orange bumpers are the hardest for us to understand, since as previously stated, they are very discernable to us against a variety of backgrounds. Orange bumpers are typically used for blind work. The idea behind it is that the dog cannot pick out the bumper from a distance and thus must rely on cooperation with the handler in order to achieve success. When working with an advanced dog, orange bumpers can be used for marking drills as well, but in my opinion should only be used sparingly. That's a topic for a different day...
White bumpers are best used in marking drills. White pops out against darker backgrounds (think contrast) and is therefore easier for the dog to pick out at a distance. One thing to consider with white bumpers is the arc of the throw. A mark thrown with a lesser arc is harder for a dog to pick out than one with a larger arc. White bumpers tend to also be used for pile work (lining drills) and when first introducing a new training concept to your dog, like casting. They give your dog a clearer picture of what is being asked of them and thus boost your dog’s confidence.
Finally you have the flasher, a bumper that is half black, half white. These can be used for a variety of work, including marks, but I have found that they truly excel most on water. They work even better for water when there is a sharp glare coming off of the surface. In such a situation, the black helps the bumper contrast better against the harsh sunlight. In marking drills, the black and white causes a flashing effect as the bumper twists in the air. This helps your dog pick out the bumper as there is now more perceived movement occurring during the bumper's flight time.
Though extremely basic, this article has hopefully given you a better understanding of the importance of colors and bumper selection in your training. There is still much more to cover in regards to bumper selection and dog training, especially once you start looking at the different materials that bumpers can be made out of. But this should give you a quick and easy reference to help you the next time you are out training or looking to purchase more bumpers, because let’s face it, you can never have too many.
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